Madam, - Kevin Myers sometimes amuses, often exasperates, but rarely makes me angry. But his piece about my friend and neighbour, Pat "The Cope" Gallagher, (An Irishman's Diary, May 4th) has made me seethe. Hospitals have patients on their advisory boards, consumers have representation, and travellers have a place on committees dealing with their concerns. Why on earth should ex-prisoners not be members of prison visiting committees?
Former prisoners who have paid their debt to society are entitled to the same respect and regard as any other member of society. Part of that respect is the right to privacy. The manner in which Kevin Myers impugned Mr Gallagher's wife and sister-in-law was nasty and tasteless and must be very hurtful to two very decent and respected women. I am in no doubt that the people of the Donegal South-West constituency which Pat the Cope so ably represents in the Dáil will share my distaste at Mr Myers's most gratuitously offensive article. - Yours, etc.,
DECLAN BONAR,
The Medical Centre,
Dungloe,
Co Donegal.